By Madeline Balser | Development Manager
Nadia is a 17-year-old refugee from Rwanda who arrived at RefuSHE's Safe House in March 2023. At the age of 13, Nadia and her brother ran away from home to escape issues of conflict and neglect. The two siblings lived on the streets of Kigali where they slept outside and struggled to find food to eat. They lived on the streets for over two months, then met a truck driver who offered to take them to his home in Nakuru where he lived with his wife. Upon arrival, it became clear to Nadia that the driver did not have a wife. One night, he returned home drunk with several friends and she was sexually assualted and fell pregnant. After four months at the house, Nadia and her brother plotted their escape and fled the house in the middle of the night. They walked for two days, sleeping in the streets, until they arrived in Nairobi. Here, they continued to stay in the streets and borrowed food from strangers.
One day, they met a Rwandese woman who recognized them. The woman knew Nadia's sister and was able to contact her via Facebook. Her sister sent money for them to pay rent and buy food as she made plans to look for help. Her sister later reached out to a case worker who took Nadia to the organization Refugee Point. After her case was followed up by Refugee Point, she was referred to RefuSHE. Unfortunately, Nadia lost her unborn baby upon arrival due to poor nutrition and lack of maternal care. RefuSHE catered to her hospital needs, provided mental health counselling, and ensured that all of her basic needs were met.
Nadia has been residing in the Safe House for seven months now and has made friends with the other beneficiaries. She is currently learning how to manage stress and is undergoing counselling. She is also attending the Cottage Skills program where she is learning baking, knitting, and beading. Before RefuSHE, Nadia was worried for her safety and that of her younger brother. They lacked shelter and access to basic needs such as food. After moving into RefuSHE's Safe House, she feels safe and is happy to connect with fellow beneficiaries who have undergone similar challenges. Upon regaining her stability, Nadia wishes to resume school and become a prosecutor to fight for other girls like her who have faced adversity and hardships.
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